Two firefighters have been killed and a 3rd wounded Sunday after they have been shot as they responded to a wildfire on an Idaho mountain that was set to lure them into an ambush, authorities mentioned.
A tactical response crew used mobile phone knowledge to zero in on a wooded space the place they discovered the physique of what is believed to be the lone suspect and a rifle close by as flames have been quickly approaching, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris informed a information convention late Sunday evening. Norris defined {that a} sign was detected coming from a mobile phone that was in the identical spot since about 3:16 p.m. native time and authorities honed in on it.
The physique and firearm have been shortly faraway from the scene as the fireplace approached, he mentioned. Gunfire had been exchanged with the suspect.
A shelter-in-place order for space residents was lifted however residents have been urged to remain alert as a result of the fireplace was nonetheless burning.
Norris mentioned, “We do consider that the suspect began the fireplace, and we do consider that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters didn’t have an opportunity.”
The suspect’s identify wasn’t launched and Norris did not say what sort of rifle was discovered or what investigators assume the gunman’s motive may need been.
He mentioned a 17,000 sq. foot hearth containment space was being managed and there have been 300 regulation enforcement officers on the scene together with some from the Spokane, Washington and the FBI.
Sheriff’s officers mentioned crews responded to a blaze on Canfield Mountain simply north of Coeur d’Alene round 1:30 p.m. and gunshots have been reported a couple of half hour later. The gunfire continued over a number of hours.
Three victims have been delivered to Kootenai Well being, mentioned hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two have been useless on arrival.
The wounded firefighter was “combating for his life” after surgical procedure however was in secure situation, Norris mentioned.
One of many slain firefighters was from the Coeur d’Alene division and the opposite was from Kootenai County Fireplace and Rescue, Norris mentioned, including that the wounded firefighter is with the the Coeur d’Alene division.
Gov. Brad Little mentioned “a number of” firefighting personnel have been attacked. “It is a heinous direct assault on our courageous firefighters,” Little mentioned on X. “I ask all Idahoans to hope for them and their households as we wait to be taught extra.”
Norris informed reporters because the scenario was unfolding that, “We nonetheless have civilians which can be coming off of that mountain. We’d have civilians which can be caught or in shock on that mountain, so this can be a very, very recent scenario. We’re ready to neutralize this suspect who’s at present actively taking pictures at public security personnel. We’re ready to neutralize this suspect as shortly as potential.”
Mark Lathrop / AP
He mentioned on the late evening information convention that authorities assume all civilians are off the mountain, together with any hikers who have been within the neighborhood.
Coeur d’Alene is near the Idaho-Washington border, about 30 miles from Spokane.
contributed to this report.